5 from 24 votes
Swedish Cardamom Bread
Swedish Cardamom Bread is a soft, braided yeast bread flavored with ground cardamom, giving it a warm, aromatic profile. The dough is enriched with butter, milk, sugar, and egg, producing a tender crumb with a slight sweetness. Braiding the dough creates a decorative loaf often topped with pearl sugar, adding a subtle crunch on the crust. Its comforting texture and fragrant spice make it suitable for breakfast or tea-time breads.
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Additional Time
2 hrs
Servings:
12
Calories:
219 kcal
Course:
Bread
Cuisine:
Scandinavian
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 package yeast
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour approx
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 egg beaten (reserve 2 t egg for eggwash)
- 2 teaspoons water or milk
- 1-2 Tablespoon pearl sugar optional for decorating, Swedish
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a microwave safe container that holds at least 2 cups. Add the milk and sugar, then heat to about 110F. Stir in the yeast.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, salt and cardamom.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg, then remove about 2 teaspoons into a separate container. Mix the smaller portion of egg with 2 teaspoons water or milk to make an egg wash, then refrigerate until needed.
- Mix the larger portion of egg into the milk mixture, then add to the flour mixture. Beat with a dough hook until dough is smooth and elastic. Add additional flour or milk if needed to create a nice dough.
- Cover the bowl of dough with a damp dish cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled about 1 – 1 ½ hours.
- When doubled in size, knead a few times, then divide the dough into thirds and make 3 15-inch long rolls of dough. On a parchment lined baking sheet, braid these together then tuck in the ends. Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Let rise in a warm place until almost double, about 40 minutes. Take the reserved egg wash out of the refrigerator, then whisk briefly. Using a soft brush, brush egg wash lightly over the top and sides of the bread, then sprinkle with Swedish Pearl sugar, if using.
- Bake at 375 for about 20-30 minutes until loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
219kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
37g
(12%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
5g
(8%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.4g
(2%)
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Trans Fat
0.2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
26mg
(9%)
Sodium
141mg
(6%)
Potassium
83mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
171IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
0.04mg
(0%)
Calcium
35mg
(4%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 219
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 219kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 26mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 141mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 83mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 171IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 0.04mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 35mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.